This style is starting to be a favorite

opaul

opaul

KNIFE MAKER
I know not everyone likes this particular style or shape knife, but I'm getting fond of them. I just finished the sheath for this one and it's ready for it's new owner. Wenge scales, 5" OAL with 2" blade.
 
Looks great!

It's a funny thing about blade shapes- what looks right to our eye is often wrong when put into use. Take for example that almost every blade we carry has an upswept tip. Why? In the vast majority of uses, that is actually pretty stupid. Yes, I make blades with upswept tips. Why? It looks "right" to my eye and that's what sells.

The most useful blades for just about everything that doesn't require stabbing with the point is a Wharncliffe blade shape, or the shape you have above.

I'm not saying an upswept tip is bad- just that it's not particularly useful in the vast majority of applications outside of the kitchen or skinning game.
 
Thanks John! I agree with your assessment on blade shapes. At first I didn't care so much for the Wharncliffe blades but I'm beginning to appreciate them more and more.
 
I've always had an affinity for the Wharnie, but have also recently taken to the knife shape you posted, which btw looks great. There's a knifemaker out of Italy, Denis Mura, who also makes that style of knife and they're quite awesome pieces.
 
Thanks Cazador.
I have found that even though the blade is smaller, it's still a challenge for me on the grinder. Being smaller and shorter than most blades it's taxing my manual dexterity. :)
 
The challenge to any straight-edged blade, whether Wharnie, sheepsfoot, or Kiridashi style- is sharpening. It is very difficult to keep that edge straight when you hand sharpen it. It's not too bad on a short blade, but as the blade length increases it becomes more difficult. I have a sneaking suspicion this is where most blade designs get the upswept tip. I think blades gravitated that way because so many blades will end up curved over time anyway.

I could be totally wrong about that, of course. Just thinking out loud.
 
I think that's a great little blade. The handle position gets your knuckles out of the work zone. A short stout blade like that gives you power for a lot of different uses.
I wonder if the plunge line went just past the back of the blade if it would be easier to keep straight? It would remove a lot of the space for the makers mark but might increase the function and be easier to sharpen?

just an idea...
 
Smallshop said:
I think that's a great little blade. The handle position gets your knuckles out of the work zone. A short stout blade like that gives you power for a lot of different uses.
I wonder if the plunge line went just past the back of the blade if it would be easier to keep straight? It would remove a lot of the space for the makers mark but might increase the function and be easier to sharpen?

just an idea...
Click to expand...

And an excellent idea. I'll be making a few more so I might try that.
 
That has "neck knife" written all over it...lol.

I always recommend those....dunno why...'cause i don't really like them....lol.
 
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